The Kentucky Exposition Center Receives GBAC Accreditation

The Kentucky International Convention Center and Kentucky Exposition Center are the first centers in Kentucky to have received the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR accreditation, the gold standard on outbreak prevention, response and recovery.

This third-party program helps facilities establish a comprehensive system of cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention. It also helps venues prepare work practices, understand correct sanitization techniques and best cleaning practices for biohazard situations like COVID-19.

“Clients expect transparent and meticulous health cleaning procedures and the health and safety of our guests, clients and employees continues to be our highest priority. As events continue, we want to take proactive steps and exceed industry standards in sanitation and cleanliness,” said President and CEO of Kentucky Venues David Beck. “It’s not enough to do the minimum, but to continue to be an example of the best in the industry, including preparedness and sanitization.”

Both facilities have utilized COVID-19 as an opportunity to not only improve sanitization processes, but also prepare spaces for future events. The Kentucky International Convention Center reopened in late-2018 after undergoing a $207 million renovation, incorporating requests from meeting planners across the nation. The facility has continued enhancements since 2018 with a renovated hybrid conference theatre suitable for hybrid and virtual events.

The Kentucky Exposition Center is undergoing a series of substantial renovations. Exterior elements of the facility including the main entrance, green space and primary parking areas have been renovated to provide a superior outdoor experience for attendees. Indoor spaces have been overhauled with the modernizing of meeting rooms and suites as well as new eco-lighting across the entire facility and a new sound system within Freedom Hall.

Louisville Tourism, the marketing agency that promotes the city as a travel and meetings destination, provided strong assistance and support in making the GBAC application achievable for the Kentucky Exposition Center and Kentucky International Convention Center.

“The safety of our attendees is our top priority,” said Karen Williams, President & CEO of Louisville Tourism. “Recognizing our convention centers have been awarded this stringent national accreditation will help instill confidence in our customers, providing further reassurance of our high-quality safety standards to all who meet at our facilities.”

GBAC STAR is the gold standard of prepared facilities. This accreditation means that a facility has:

• Established and maintained a cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention program to minimize risks associated with infectious agents like the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).
• The proper cleaning protocols, disinfection techniques, and work practices in place to combat biohazards and infectious disease.
• Highly skilled cleaning professionals who are trained for outbreak and infectious disease preparation and response.

“GBAC STAR accreditation empowers facility owners and managers to assure workers, customers and key stakeholders that they have proven systems in place to maintain clean and healthy environments,” said GBAC Executive Director Patricia Olinger. “By taking this important step to pursue GBAC STAR, Kentucky Venues will receive third-party validation that it follows strict protocols for biorisk situations, thereby demonstrating its preparedness and commitment to operating safely.”